Edward Podsiadlik, PhD

Edward Podsiadlik III, PhD, works with undergraduate teacher candidates and focuses his research and clinical work on coaching literacy and defining authentic teacher identity.

He is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the College of Education. He has over twenty years experience in urban public education as a middle school teacher, literacy coach, and administrator. His research interests include qualitative explorations of what informs and defines authentic teacher identity. His book, "Anecdotes and Afterthoughts: Literature as a Teacher's Curriculum", was published in July 2014 by Sense Publishers.

Research & Teaching Interests

My advocacy for democratic teaching and learning and my commitment to cultivating public education’s capacity to transgress personal and political boundaries is informed by diversity rather than hierarchy, accountability instead of profit, and empathy over stigmatization. My research, teaching, and service are designed to unmask and meander through spaces of quiet dignity and identity that are hidden beneath externally-imposed constraints too often placed upon individuals and groups (individually, collectively, and systemically). I believe that educators have the potential (as well as a moral imperative) to collectively empower those excluded or marginalized from the curriculum of public schooling and life.

Literacy for democratic citizenship is about much more than economic growth and nation building. Passive assimilation of facts and isolated skills is unacceptable. The potential of literacy instruction lies in its capacity to challenge minds to become active, competent, and critical in a complex world. I believe that we educators and researchers have the potential (as well as a moral imperative) to collectively empower those excluded or marginalized from the curriculum of public schooling and life. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the disciplines of literacy.

Selected Publications

The Dignity of the Calling: Educators Share the Beginnings of Their Journeys.
(Information Age Publishing, 2015). Chapter entry: “Taken at the Flood: Journeys of
Identity and Integrity.” Editor Andrew T. Kemp, Georgia Regents University.
Currently in press.

Another Heartbreaking Loss in the Field of Curriculum Studies--Dr. William H. Watkins.
(Fall 2014). AERA Division B Newsletter.

Professional Affiliations & Activities

· American Educational Research Association (AERA)
· International Reading Association (IRA)
· The Illinois Reading Council
· Oxford University Literacy Round Table
· National Council for the Teachers of English (NCTE)
· American Classical League
· Chicago Classics Club
· Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
· Art Institute of Chicago
· Lyric Opera of Chicago
· Phi Theta Kappa
· Golden Key International Honor Societies
· Aquin Guild of Chicago
· College of Education Representative for the United Faculty Union
· American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
· Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity (SCALE)

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